Telescopic lift.



No; www. Patented um. 23, |900. c. u. Bumm( B. c. nonmmw. TELESGOPIC LIFT.

(Application filed Feb; xs, 1900.)

ma noms crus co, vnofummmmmsmn n c ninth *rain Fmo WISCONSIN.

TELesooPlc I Irr.

srncrrrcaron forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,091, eaten october 2e, 1900.

Application filed February 5,1900. Serial No. 3,931. (No model.)

to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

Our invention has relation to improvements in telescopic lifts.

The object of the invention is to provide a construction of such character that the lifting mechanism under normal conditions willA take up but a small amount of vertical space, and yet at the saine time will provide for a considerable travel of the load.

Vith the above primary object in View the invention consists of the devices and parts or their equivalents, as hereinafter more fully set forth. i

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of the invention. Fig. 2 is an ou ter end view of the valve mechanism. Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2, partly in horizontal section. Fig. 4 is an outer face view of the valve-seat. the valve and of the valve-seat with the inlet ports and passages in register. Fig. 6 is a detail View looking on the inner face of the valve.' Fig. 7 is a View of the inner end of the valve-stem, and Fig. S is a View of the outer face of the valve.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral f) indicates an outercylinder,provided at its top with a crown-plate l O,which plate is preferably provided with a depending Iiange, which surrounds and has, preferably, a threaded connection with the upper end of the cylinder. To the crown-plate is connected a hook 11, adapted to suspend the lift from any desirable point oi' suspension. The crown-plate is also provided with a vent-opening 12. At the lower end of the outercylinder is a lower head 13, preferably having a threaded connection with the cylinder. The horizontal or bottom portion of this head is provided with a large opening l-l.

The numeral 1o indicates an inner cylinder, the circumference of which is sufficiently less than the circumference of the outer cyl- Fig. 5 is a section of inder, so as to form a chamber or space 1G between the two cylinders when said cylinders are telescoped, as shown in Fig. 1. At the upper end of' the inner cylinder is a follower-plate 17. The circumferential edge of this follower-plate fits against the inner side of the outer cylinder. This plate is also provided With a vent-opening 1S. Surrounding the inner cylinder a slight distance below the follower-plate 17 is an inverted- L-shaped iiange 19, which forms a piston-head. Between the horizontal portion of this flange and the under side of the portion of the follower-plate which projects beyond the inner cylinder is a packing 20, of leather or other desirable material. The outer edge of this packing is advisably turned downwardly into the space between the inner side of the outer cylinder and the edge of the horizontal portion of the flange. Apressure upward against the flange therefore will serve to press this turneddown edge of the packing tightly against the wall of the outer cylinder, and hence provide effectnally against the escape of the actuating medium. The packing 20 is heldin place by means of bolts or equivalents 2l 21, and the packing is thus made to forni a tight joint between the two cylinders.

The numeral 22 indicates the lower head of the inner cylinder. Beneath the horizontal portion of the'lower head 13 of the outer cylinder is a packing 23, of leather or other desirable material, and beneath'this packing is arranged an annular plate 24, the packing being clamped between said plate and the head 13 by means of bolts or equivalents 25, wherebya tight joint is provided. The bordering edge of the circular opening of the packing 23 is turned upwardly, as clearly shown, and this upwardly-turned edge is disposed between the inner edge of the horizontal portion of the lower head 13 and the lower end of the inner cylinder. By this provision Whenever the actuating medium is admitted into the chamber 16 it presses against the upturned edge of the packing, and thereby causes the same to bear tightly against the inner cylinder and effect a tight joint. Fitted to the central opening of the lower head 22 of the inner cylinder is a stufling-box 2G. Within the inner cylinder is adapted to work a piston-head 2.7, and from this ,piston-head l chamber and prevents withdrawal of the dependsapis'ton-rod 28, said vrod vextending freely through the stufng-box 26 and carrying at its lower end a swivel attachment 29, said swivel attachment carrying a hook 30, which-is adapted to engage the load to `beelevated. A channel 31 extends through the lower head and stuffing-box 13 and communicates at its inner end with the chamber or space 16.

Any desired form of valve mechanism {"ory admitting the actuating agent into and ex-r hausting the same from the space 16 .may be provided; but we prefer to employ the construction now about to be described.

Fitted to the lower head 13 of the outer cylinder is a valve-seat 32. Aseparate valve.- seat, however, is fnot `absolutely necessary,

'as saidseat could be formed on ythe head :13.

`Fitted -to the Valve-seat is a valve-casing The casing and seat are .held together and `to Athe head 13, preferably, byineansfof bolt-s 34.

Within the valve-chamber 35 of the casingif is arranged a rotatable Valve'36. 'The valveseat is provided with twoinlet-ponts`r3l37, the former being somewhat larger incircu'm.- ference than the latterand the-,two connected by means of a connecting-.channel '38, and leading `from Athis connecting-channel outwardly-through the peripheral edge oi the seat is a short channel 39, which communicates with the valve-chamber 35. The :inner face of the valve lis provided with an inwardly-extending journal 40, which lfits in va central opening Vin the Valve-seat, said fopening thereby forming a bearing for .the journal. This journal is lprovided ywithfachan.- nel 41. The outer end of vthe channel 4lhas a channel 42 extending vtherefrom lat an angle through the valve, said Vchannel 42 fbeing shown in the drawings .as also incomYm-unication with .fthe ports 37 37'. the channel 4l communicates vwith a .port 43 The inner end of in the vvalve-seat, and this port 43 in ftfur-n:

communicates with the channel 31.

The numeral 44 indicates an inlet pipe .org conduit for the actuating medium, and thisf' pipe communicates at its lower :end with a;

channel 45 rin the head -l3.

ing is also provided with two .other ports 46 I 46', the former being somewhat larger in cirr- `cumference than the latter, and these ports are in .communication vwith each other by yet it is not absoltel-y necessary. If omitted, the channel 42 -would then fcom-municatedirectly with the channel 43.

49 yand extends outwardly through -the outer end of the casing. stem is formed or provided with Ia Iflange 50, which Ifits against the outer Wallof fthe Yvalve- The inner .end of thefy .portion -is ya spring 53.

.quadrant valve-stem. The outer iface of the valve is formed with two lugs 5l 5l, which form therebetween a recess to receive a key 52 on the inner face of the flange 50. By this arrange- .ment .the rotation of thel valve-stem will impart `rotation to the valve. The valve-stem is tubular for a desired distance from its inner end outwardly, and itted in this tubular The inner end of this spring bears against the outer face of the valve, and thereby assists in holding the valine close toits seat. T-he outer end of the valve-stein is provided with two arms 54 54,

f extending therefrom in such manner as to form practically a bell-crank lever. From the arm 54 isa .pendent chai-n ,55 and from ,thefarm54 isfaipendent chain 55. zllheivalvecasing v.is also ifonmed Vor tprovi-ded with a quadrant 56. "lllhevcurved edge of thisq-uadran t Lisformed vwith @intermediate shoulders -57 45.7 and with end shoulders 58 58. The inlner side of sthe `arm 54 ,carri-es fa spring-actuated dog 59, .which is adapted to work lover Jthe curved edge of .the quadrant. Aispring .is rwouind fabout a ipin y60, and the ends of =this spring are kextended to form the spring-arms .61 .61. lThe ends of these arms 'normally bear Kagainst a -stud 62, :projecting from 'the 'The farm 54 has `extending inwardly therefrom Ya ifingerf63, which is adapt- .;ed Kto :engage either the spring-.arm 61 -or 61, in accordance w-ithvwfhether the chain 55or :55' isfoperated.

'The .operation .of 'our invention :will fnow be described. Itwizlil ebe supposed that .a pull has been exerted on the chain 55 and this @has vcaused -a V down movement Iof the arm 54,

and consequently a .turning lof the valve to.

the lett. The turning yto the left is first im- ;peded by -conitact'of the dog 59 with the intermediate shoulder 57. The moment this contactoceurslthechannel 42 of the valve will be brought in-to register With the port 37 of :the valveseat,and hencethe .inlet air orother actuating medium is f-ree vto flow through the pipe 44, passage 45, port 37', thence by wayofchannels 42 41, port 43, andchannel 3l into the chamber or space 16. The flow ofthe actuating medium through the .contracted channel 37 permits of a flow of the actuating agent sufiieient for ordinary purposes. lf, however, a greater flow of the actuating medium `is required in yorder'to obtain increased power -a greater pull is ,exerted on Vthe chain 55, and the .dog 59 is thereby drawn from the shoulder .57 until said dog contacts `with the shoulder 58, lwhich shoulder 58 limits the extent of turning and brings the larger port 37 also -i-nto registration with the several passages vor .channels hereinbefore mentioned.

In the'positionof the parts shownin the draw- The valve-stem is indicated by the numeral i ings this larger :port :37 is `in registration. It will be supposed that when the valve was first adjusted in the `manner just explained the piston-rod was already out to its -full .extent permitted by contact .of the piston-head 27 IOO ceo,oei a with the lower head 22 of the inner cylinder, and the inner cylinder was also pulled out to the extent permitted by contact of the flange or piston-head 19 with the lower edge 13 of the outer cylinder. The actuating agent, therefore, which passes into the space 16 will first act on the piston-head 19 and cause a rising of the inner cylinder, the air above the follower-plate 17 escaping through the vent 12. lVhen the inner cylinder is thus raised to its full extent, a port 64 at the lower end of the inner cylinder will be exposed to the chamber 16, and hence the actuating agent will be free to flow into said inner cylinder and act against the piston-head 27 and cause arising ot' said piston-head and its piston-rod, the air above the said piston-head escaping through the vents 1S and 12. The telescoping portions at the completion of this operation are at the position shown in Fig. 1, and it is obvious that any load suspended from the hook 30 will be thereby elevated. Attention is also directed to the fact that when the inlet-ports and channels are in registration, as explained, the inlet actuating agent is also free to flow through the short channel 39 and enter the Valve-chamber 35, so as to exert a pressure against the valve 36, and thereby counteract the pressure ot' the actuating agent against the inner face of the valve. The next step is for the operator to release the chain 55. The moment this release occurs the action of the spring-arm 61 against the finger G3 will cause a return of the two arms 54 and 54 to the normal position in which the two spring-arms 61 and 61 are in contact with the stud G2. At this normal position the ports of the valve are out of register both with the inlet and exhaust passages, and hence the telescoping parts are held up to the position to which they have been carried by the operation described. lf now it is desired to exhaust the air or other actuating medium beneath the piston-head 27 and also beneath the piston-head 19, a pull is exerted on the chain 55. This will cause a turning of the valve so as to bring the passage 42 thereof first into register with the small port L16', the intermediate shoulder 57 impeding the turning movement. The actuating agent is now free to exhaust from the interior cylinder through the port 6a into the chamber or space 1o', thence through the passage 3l, through the port 43, thence through the passage atl ot the trunnion of the valve, and thence by way of the passage 42 to the port 46', and finally from the port l1G through the exhaust passage or channel 4:8 to the external air. If a freer exhaust is required, a harder pull is exerted on the chain 55, so as to cause the dog 58 to ride past the shoulder 57 and contact with the shoulder 5S. This will also bring the larger port 416 into registration. It will be understood that with the turning of either the arm 51 or 54B/ the pin 63 thereof will contact with either the spring-arm 61 or 61 and carry the said spring-arm therewith, and that when the chain is released the retractile power of the spring-arm will cause the valve to again assume a normal position. As the actuating agent is being exhausted in the manner just explained the hook 30 can be grasped and the piston-head 27 pulled outwardly or downwardly toits full extent or until it contacts with the lower head 22. A further pull on the hook 30 will then cause the inner cylinder 15 to descend, said cylinder being free to pass through the opening 14. With the continued pulling said cylinder is drawn out to its full extent or until the piston 19 contacts with the lower head 13 of tho outer cylinder. The hook 30 can now engage the load to be elevated, and the parts are telescope/d in order to elevate the load in the manner first explained. By allowing more area on the outer piston-head 19 than on the inner piston-head 27 the larger or outer piston-head 19 is caused to first lift and to travel the full length of the outer cylinder and remain in that position and that subscquently the inner piston-head is then caused to travel inwardly to its full extent.

Ve prefer to employ air as the actuating medium, but wish it understood that any other agent suitable for the purpose may be em ployed-sucl1,for instance,as water,steam, gas, and the like.

lVhile we have herein shown and described only one inner cylinder, yet We do not wish to be understood as limit-ing ourselves thereto, inasmuch as itit is desired that the liftin its normal telescoped condition shall consume the minimum vertical distance a plurality of theinner cylinders maybe provided, connect ed one with the other through the medium of a port similar to 64 and theinnermost of said cylinders having the piston 27, adapted to work therein. V3y employing a plurality of these inner cylinders the necessary extent of lift may be provided, while the device itself in its normal telescoped condition will require but the minimum of vertical height.

Vhat we claim as our invention is- 1. In a telescopic lift, the coinbination'of' an outer casing provided With an opening through one of its end pieces, an inner casing movable through the open end ot' the outer casing, and of such less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head fitting against the wall of' the outer casing, and the interior ofthe inner casing being normally -in communication with the space between it and the outer casing, but out of communication therewith when said inner casing is pulled outwardly, a pistonhead adapted to work in the inner casingand provided with a pistonrod extending through the end of the inner casing, and means for introducing an actuating agent into the interior of the outer casing and for exhausting said actuating agent therefrom.

2. In a telescopic lift, the combination of lOO IIO

an outer casing provided with an opening through one of its ends, an inner casing movable through said opening, and of such less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head tting against the wall of the outer casing, and the interior of the inner casing being normally in communication with the space between it and the outer casing, but out of communication with the space when said inner casing is pulled outwardly, a piston-head adapted to work in the inner casing and of less area than the area of the outer piston-head, said inner piston-head havinga piston-rod extending therefrom and through the end piece of the inner casing, and means for introducing an actuating agent :into the interior of the outer casing and for exhausting said actuating agent therefrom.

3. In a telescopic lift, the combination of an outer casing provided with an opening through one of its end pieces and having a hook connected to its opposite end piece, an inner casing movable through the opening in the end piece of the outer casing and of such less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head fitting against the wall of the outer casing, and the interior of the inner casingbeing normally in communication with the space between it and the outer casing, but out of communication with said space when the inner casing is pulled outwardly, a piston-.head adapted to work in the inner casing, said inner piston-head having a piston-rod extending through the end piece of the inner casing, a hook connected to the outer end of the piston-rod, and means for introducing an actuating agent into the interior of the outer casing and for exhausting said actuating agent therefrom.

it. In a telescopic lift, the combination of an outer casing provided with an opening through one of its end pieces, an inner casing movable through the opening in the end piece and of such less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head fitting against the wall of the outer casing, and provided near its opposite end with a port in communication with the interior space of the outer casing when said inner casing is telescoped into the outer casing, a piston-head adapted to work in the inner casing, said piston-head having a piston-rod extending therefrom through the end piece of the inner casing, and means for introducingan actuating agent into the interior of the outer casing and for exhausting said actuating agent therefrom.

5. The combination of inner and outer parts, the outer part having its end piece provided with an opening into which the inner part extends, and said inner part being of such less transverse area than the outer part as to leave a space between the two parts, a packing arranged beneath the end piece of the outer part, said packing provided with an opening surrounding the inner part, the bordering edge of said packing being upturned, and said upturned edge being arranged between the inner part and the bordering edge of the opening of the end piece, and a plate bearing against the packing and clamping the saine to the end piece.

6. In a telescopic lift, the combination of an outer casing provided with an opening through one of its ends, an inner casing movable through said opening, and of such less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head fitting against the Wall of the outer casing, and the interior of the inner casing being normally in communication with the space between it and the outer casing, but out of communication with said space when the inner casing is pulled outwardly, a piston-head adapted to Work in the interior casing, said piston-head having a piston-rod extending therefrom and through the end piece of the inner casing, a valve-casing having an inlet-channel for the actuating mediu m leading thereto, a valve-seat provided with an inlet-channel leading to the interior space of the outer vcasing and with an exhaust-channel leading to the external atmosphere, a valve iitting in the valve-chamber of the valve-casing, and provided with a channel which is normally out of register with both the inlet and exhaust channels, and means for turning the valve, whereby when turned in one direction the channel thereof connects the inlet-channel with the channel leading to the interior space of the outer casing, and when turned in the opposite direction the chan nel thereof connects the channel leading to the interior space of the outer casingwith the exhaust-channel.

IOO

IIO

7. In a telescopic lift, the combination of an outer casing provided with an opening through one of its ends, an inner casing movable through said opening, and of such less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head fitting against the wall of the outer casing and the interior of the inner casing being normally in communication with the space between it and the outer casing, but out of communication with said space when the inner casing is pulled outwardly, a piston-head adapted to work in the inner casing, said piston-head having a piston-rod extending through the end piece of the inner casing,

a valve-casing having an vinlet-channel for the actuating medium leading thereto, a valve-seat provided with two leads, one larger than the other and communicating with the inlet-channel leading to the interior space of the outer easing, and said valve-seat also provided with an exhaust-channel leading to the eXternal atmosphere, a valve fitting in the Valve-chamber ol the valve-casing, and provided with a channel which is normally ont of register with both the inlet and exhaust channels, and means for turning the valve, whereby when turned in one direction the channel thereof connects the inlet-channel with the channel leading to the interior space of the outer casing, and when turned in Jthe opposite direction the channel thereof connects the channel leading to the interior space of the outer casing with the exhaust-channel.

8. In a telescopic lift, the combination, ot' an outer casing provided wit-h an opening through one of its ends, an inner casing movable through said opening and of such less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head fitting against the wall of the outer casing, and the interior of the inner casing being normally in communication with the space between it and the outer casing, but out ot' communication with said space when the inner casing pulled outwardly, a piston-head adapted to work in the inner casing, said piston-head having a piston-rod extending through the end piece of the inner casing, a valve-casing having an inlet-channel for the actuating medium leading thereto, a valveseat provided with an inlet-channel leading to the interior space of the outer casing, and also provided with an exhaust-channel leading to the external atmosphere, said exhaustchannel having two leads leading thereto, one being larger than the other, a valve fitting in the valve-chamber of the valve-casing and provided with a channel which is normally out ot' register with both the inlet and exhaust channels, and means for turning the valve, whereby when turned in one direction the channel thereof connects the inlet-channel with the channel leading to the interior space of the outer casing, and when turned in the opposite direction the channel thereof connects the channel leading to the interior space ot the outer casing with the exhaustchannel.

9. In a telescopic lift, the combination, ot' an outer casing provided with an opening through one of its ends, an inner casing movable through said opening and ot such less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head fitting against the wall of the outer casing, and the interior of the inner casing being normally in communication with the space between it and the outer casing, but out of communication with said space when theinner casing is pulled outwardly, apistonhead adapted to work in the inner casing, said piston-head having a piston-rod extending therefrom and through the end piece of the inner casing, a valve-casing having an inlet-channel for the actuating medium leading thereto, a valve-seat provided with an inlet-channel leading to the interior space of the outer casing and with an exhaust-channel leading to the external atmosphere, a valve fitting in the valve-chamber of the val ve-casing,a stem projecting from the valve through the outer end of the valve-casing, arms extending from the outer end ot' the valve-stem,one of said arms carrying a springactuated dog, a quadrant over which the dog is adapted to work, said quadrant provided with shoulders with which the dog is adapted to contact, the arms being normally in such position as to have the channel of the valve out of register with either the inlet or exhaust channels, but adapted when operated, and when the dog contacts with one of the shoulders, to bring the channel ot' the valve into register with the inlet-channels, or when operated in the opposite direction to bring the dog into contact with the other shoulder and thereby cause the channel of the valve to register with the exhaust-channels.

10. In a telescopic lift, the combination of an outer casing provided with an opening through one of its ends, an inner casing movable through said openings, and of suchl less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head fitting against the wall of the outer casing, and the interior of the inner casing being normally in communication with the space between it and the outer casing, but out of communication with said space when the inner casing is pulled outwardly, a pistonhead adapted to work in the inner casing, said piston-head having a piston-rod extending through the end piece of the inner casing, a valve-casing having an inlet-channel for the actuating medium leading thereto, a valveseat provided with two lead-ports one larger than the other, and both ports registering with the channel leading to the interior space of the outer casing, and said Valve-seat also provided with two lead-ports one larger than the other registering with the exhaust-channel leading to the external atmosphere, a valve fitting in the valve-chamber, a stein projecting from the valve through the outer end of the valve-casing, arms extending from the outer end of the valve-stem, one ot said arms carrying a spring-actuated dog, and a quadrant over which the dog is adapted to work, said quadrant provided with end shoulders and with intermediate shoulders, the arms being normally in such position as to. have the channel ot the valve out of register with either the inlet or exhaust channels, but adapted when operated, and when the dog contacts with one of the intermediate shoulders to bring its channel into register with the small inlet lead-port of the valve-seat, and when operated farther in the saule direction to contact with the end shoulder and bring the valve-channel into register with the large inlet lead-port of the valve-seat, and when the arms are turned in thc opposite direction the IOO IIO

contact of the dog with the other intermediate shoulder adapted to bring the channel of the valve into register with the small exhaust lead-port, and when turned farther until the dog contacts with the other end shoulder to bring the channel of the valve into register with the large exhaust lead-port.

ll. In a telescopic lift, the combination of an outer casing provided with an opening through one ot' its ends, an inner casing movable through'said opening and vot such less transverse area than the outer casing as to leave a space between the two casings, said inner casing provided at one end with a piston-head fitting against the wall of the outer casing, and the interior of the inner casing being normally in communication With the space between it and the outer casing, but out of communication with said space when the inner casing is pulled outwardly, a pistonhead adapted to work in the inner casing, said piston-head having a piston-rod extending through the end piece of the linner casing, a valve-casing having an inlet-channel for the actuating medium leading thereto, a valveseat provided `with an inlet-channel leading to the interior space of the outer casing, and also provided with an exhaust-channel leading to the external atmosphere, avalve fitting in the valve-chamber of the valve-casing, a

`stem projecting from the valve through the outer end of the valve-casing, arms extending from the outer end of the valve-stein, one of said arms carrying a spring-actuated dog, a quadrant over which the dog is adapted to work, said quadrant provided with shoulders with which the dog is adapted to contact, the arm being normally in such position as to have the channel of the valve out of register wit h both the inlet and exhaust channels, but adapted when operated, and when the dog contacts with one of the shoulders, to bring the channel of the valve into register with the inlet-channels, but when operated in the opposite direction to bring the dog into contact with the other shoulder and thereby cause the channel of the valve to register with the exhaust-channels, and a spr-ing adapted to act on the arms to return said arms, after being released, to normal position.

In testimony whereof we afix our signa'- tures in presence ot' two witnesses.

CHARLES 0. BULOCK. BERTRAM C. DONNELLY.

7i tnesses:

A. L. MoRsELL, ANNA V. FAUsT. 

